THE COWBOYS also has a wonderful release already -- a perfect representation of the score! I have the version with reversed channels (this was since corrected), but it really doesn't affect the experience at all.

Granted, the old Varese CD is getting hard-to-find and expensive in the secondary market, so a reissue wouldn't be too bad for those who can't afford it.

The Reiver is great, for a good alternative presentation, try Stage and Screen on Sony Classical, a JW/Boston Pops album which also has some Copland (The Red Pony if I remember rightly) and a suite from Born on the Fourth of July. However, the orchestral suite (with narration) from The Reivers is terrific and perhaps sounds a bit more like it would sound if JW had scored The Reivers a decade or two later.

Random question on the suite, I've not seen the film, but is the terrific horse race music in the Stage and Screen suite from the film? If it is, then it's (inexplicably) not on the soundtrack album, but if it's not, then presumably JW fleshed out the music for the suite. Any insight? Thanks.

The Reiver is great, for a good alternative presentation, try Stage and Screen on Sony Classical, a JW/Boston Pops album which also has some Copland (The Red Pony if I remember rightly) and a suite from Born on the Fourth of July. However, the orchestral suite (with narration) from The Reivers is terrific and perhaps sounds a bit more like it would sound if JW had scored The Reivers a decade or two later.

Random question on the suite, I've not seen the film, but is the terrific horse race music in the Stage and Screen suite from the film? If it is, then it's (inexplicably) not on the soundtrack album, but if it's not, then presumably JW fleshed out the music for the suite. Any insight? Thanks.

I love this suite on the album mentioned above. Starngely I also wondered about the last horse race music if it was in the film. Possibley Williams wrote it to the film but it didnt get used. Or Williams must have adapted the score for the concert piece. It would be great to have this score as well as 'The Rare Breed' as these scores go hand to hand. Wish these two get a complete re-recording fleshed out from Tadlow someday. (In restrospect I remember a wonderfull suite for The Rare Breed also recorded on Williams Silva Screen recordings]

I'd second, err, third, the recommendation for the suite on the Sony album. The narration may not be everybody's cup of tea, but in and of itself (by cranky old Burgess Meredith) it's terrific, and you'll also get a wonderful rendition of Copland's classic The Red Pony (second only to André Previn's version, originally on CBS, now also on Sony), and three marvellously played pieces from Born on the Fourth of July. And wait, there's also Copland's Quiet City.

I, too, would love an expanded version of the score, if for no other reason than to (hopefully) finally be able to listen to the final race music, which was not included on either CD soundtrack release. With regards to the suite, I've always disliked a lengthy section that wasn't in the movie. Granted, the version of the suite on Sony Classical's "Music for Stage and Screen" does feature Burgess Meredith, but that doesn't quite make up for the inclusion of the additional music.

My advice to the "to buy or not to buy" question is to buy it if you can and enjoy. It remains my all-time favorite soundtrack - I bought the LP version of the score immediately after seeing the film in 1969 - and I think you'll enjoy it too.

Thanks for all of the feedback. I have MP3s of the 1995 release - so I may just sit on those in hopes of an expanded release being issued - even if it takes a few years. Definitely want a physical release of this score at some point though.

I've just re-listened to this score. I'm with the guy who saw the film and bought the album in 1969. I've always adored the opening track as being one of the most glorious 'Americana' pieces ever composed. I'm going to admit though I never quite found the album itself worked, hence, I would love to see an expanded version which represented the arc of the film more accurately.